General Requirements.
(a) Wireless support structures shall align with other poles to achieve a uniform inline appearance.
(b) Wireless support structures shall be setback from the edge of pavement according to applicable safety and construction standards as set forth in 904.14(a).
(c) All small cell facilities and wireless support structures and any related items shall be installed and maintained plumb and level and shall maintain an orderly and neat appearance.
(d) The City may deny requests to install structures and facilities in the right-of-way in an area where the City has required all structures and facilities except those owned by the City to be placed underground or elsewhere in the right-of-way or utility easement. These areas can be easily identifiable as those locations where electric has been placed underground, such as within the Northern Lights Entertainment District; however, if an applicant is uncertain as to whether such facilities have been placed underground in the area, the applicant should contact the City for clarification before applying for or installing any wireless support structures and/or or small cell facilities in the area. The applicant may request a waiver if unable to achieve its service objective using a location in the right-of-way where the prohibition does not apply, in a utility easement the applicant has the right to access, or in or on other suitable locations or structures made available by the City at reasonable rates, fees and terms.
(e) In residential districts, new wireless support structures should be located to avoid obstructing the view of building facades by placing the wireless support structure at a corner, intersection or along a lot line. New wireless support structures should be located in the yard location where other overhead utilities are located unless it is not technically feasible to do so. Applicants shall clearly explain the rationale for requests that deviate from this expectation.
(f) In the Downtown District, when collocating on the City's ornamental black traffic signal mast arms, the preferred collocation spot is on the traffic signal pole without attached street signs, with the antenna placed at the top of the vertical pole immediately below the finial. Each proposed collocation will be subject to a site-specific review. The City strongly discourages the use of the City's ornamental green streetlights as wireless support structures. They should be used only when no other options exist, including the ability to install a new wireless support structure. If used, the height may not be increased more than five (5) feet, the light fixture must be located at the top of the pole, and the small cell facility must not interfere with the attachment of flags, hanging planters and/or banners. If existing utility poles are not available for collocation, applicants may propose a new wireless support structure. Wireless support structures that will be more than twenty (20) feet in height shall match the design of the City's ornamental black traffic signal mast arms. New wireless support structures that will be twenty (20) feet or less in heights shall match the City's ornamental green streetlights. Applicants should look to the rear of properties. In order to meet the service needs of applicants, the City will consider requests to locate small cell facilities on City property in the downtown area, such as parking lots.
(g) All equipment and enclosures shall be attached, anchored and/or strapped tightly to poles using corrosion resistant steel hardware.
(h) Wireless support structures shall support no more than two small cell facilities.
(i) A landscaping plan, approved by the Community Development Director shall be required for each Application. Facilities shall be camouflaged using existing land forms, vegetation and structures to screen the facilities from view and to blend in with surrounding built and natural environment. The City may require additional concealment elements before approving an application, especially in residential districts. Concealment elements may include, but shall not be limited to, fencing, public art, or strategic placement.
(j) Ambient noise suppression measures or placement of the equipment in locations less likely to impact adjacent properties shall be required to ensure compliance with all applicable noise regulations.
(k) Unless otherwise required for compliance with FAA or FCC regulations, the small cell facility or wireless support structure shall not include any permanently installed lights. Any lights associated with the equipment shall be appropriately shielded from public view. This shall not be interpreted to prohibit streetlights or the placement of luminaires by the City.
Location
(a) In accordance with ORC 4939.0314(D), Authority of a Municipal Corporation, the City shall reserve the right to propose an alternate location to the proposed location of a new wireless support structure, provided the alternate location is within 100' or a distance equal to the width of the Right of Way in or on which the new wireless support structure is proposed, whichever is greater. The City of Sharonville also finds that certain locations and collocation configurations are preferred. A preferred location and collocation configuration should be utilized whenever possible and should only be surpassed if in the determination of the Public Works Director, clear and convincing evidence supports such a decision. Cost alone should not be grounds for such a determination. The order of preference is as follows:
(1) First, small cell facilities should be collocated on an existing pole or wireless structure within a utility easement. If so such pole or wireless support structure is available then proceed to the next preference;
(2) Second, small cell facilities should be collocated on an existing pole or wireless support structure within an alley. If no such pole or wireless support structure is available then proceed to the next preference;
(3) Third, small cell facilities should be collocated on a new wireless support structure within a utility easement. If no such location is available then proceed to the next preference;
(4) Fourth, small cell facilities should be collocated on a new wireless support structure within an alley. If no such location is available then proceed to the next preference;
(5) Fifth, small cell facilities should be collocated on a wireless support structure currently supporting a small cell facility located within the City Right of Way. If no such wireless support structure is available then proceed to the next preference;
(6) Sixth, small cell facilities should be collocated on an existing pole located within the City Right of Way. If no such existing pole is available then proceed to the next preference;
(7) Seventh, small cell facilities should be collocated on a new wireless support structure located within a utility easement. If no such location is available then proceed to the next preference;
(8) Eighth, small cell facilities should be collocated on a new wireless support structure located within an alley. If no such location is available then proceed to the next preference
(9) Ninth, small cell facilities should be collocated on a new wireless support structure located within the City Right of Way.
(b) Any new wireless support structure shall be located at least 500' from any existing small cell facility.
Wireless Facilities Design
(a) Wireless support structures shall be subject to the following design standards:
(1) Wireless support structures shall be limited to 40 feet in height.
(2) Wireless support structures shall be capable of supporting at least two small cell facility operators.
(3) New wireless support structures shall have the following design elements:
A. Material - aluminum poles;
B. Color - black anodized;
C. Diameter - 12 inches;
D. Style - smooth round tapered profile;
E. Base - trapezoidal pedestal base on a reinforced concrete footing/foundation pier;
F. Exception - If the aesthetics and character of the immediate area would be better matched by a pole of a different material, color, style, or base as determined by the Public Works Director, then such design elements may be substituted with an alternate design element. Such determination shall be based on the following factors:
1. The design features of nearby poles serving in a similar capacity;
2. The design features of the existing or proposed streetscape, district, or site;
3. The historical context of a district or specific site;
4. A desire to camouflage or conceal the pole from view.
(b) Small cell facilities shall be subject to the following design standards:
(1) The City reserves the right to require the following:
A. Antenna and all associated equipment shall be concealed to the extent deemed necessary by the Public Works Director in response to the aesthetic context of the small cell facility. Some possible configurations include but shall not be limited to the following:
1. Antenna(s) associated with the first fitting on a wireless support structure shall be top-mounted and concealed within a radome that also conceals the cable connections, antenna mount and other hardware. The Public Works Director may approve a side-mounted antenna with the initial fitting if, in the [Decision Maker]'s discretion, the side-mounted antenna would be a better match to the aesthetics and character of the immediate area and would promote the purposes of this Chapter.
2. GPS antennas be placed within the radome or directly above the radome not to exceed six inches.
(2) Each Antenna and all associated equipment shall not exceed 6 cubic feet in volume.
(3) All portions of a Small Cell Facility other than an antenna and as identified by the ORC 4939.01 (P)2, shall not exceed 28 cubic feet in volume per facility.
(4) Small cell facilities mounted to a wireless support structure shall be completely concealed within a common enclosure capable of containing at least two small sell facilities. Such common enclosures shall:
A. not exceed 21 cubic feet in volume;
B. not exceed 90 inches in height, 20 inches in width, or 20 inches in depth;
C. not extend more than 24 inches away from the pole on which it is mounted;
D. shall be centered on the vertical axis of the pole to which it is mounted;
E. be mounted at a distance of at least 10 feet measured from grade to the bottom of the enclosure;
F. be mounted on the side of the pole facing away from nearest traffic lane's direction of travel.
(5) Such common enclosures shall have the following design elements:
A. Material - The enclosure material shall be metal, a composite, or an equivalent material as determined by the Public Works Director.
B. Color - The enclosure shall match the color of the pole on which it is mounted.
C. Style - The enclosure shall match the style of the pole on which it is mounted.
D. Coordinated Design Elements - Common enclosures shall match the material, color, and style of nearby existing common enclosures when:
1. Such enclosures are located within 5000' of an existing common enclosure; and
2. Such enclosures are mounted on wireless support structures of a similar or matching design.
E. Exception - If the aesthetics and character of the immediate area would be better matched by an enclosure a different material, color, style, or by deviating from the design of a nearby existing common enclosure as determined by the Public Works Director, then such design elements may be substituted with an alternate design element. Such determination shall be based on the following factors:
1. The design features of nearby poles serving in a similar capacity;
2. The design features of the existing or proposed streetscape, district, or site;
3. The historical context of a district or specific site;
4. A desire to camouflage or conceal the enclosure from view.
(6) All ground mounted equipment shall be placed in an underground vault. No above grade ground mounted equipment in service of a small cell facility is permitted unless the following conditions can be satisfied as determined by the Public Works Director :
A. The applicant has submitted clear and convincing evidence that the equipment cannot feasibly be pole-mounted, placed in an underground vault, or hidden within or integrated into an existing streetscape element (i.e. - bus stop shelter). Increased costs alone shall not be a consideration. If a ground mounted enclosure is approved, the [Decision Maker] shall reserve the right to require any of the following conditions:
1. Concealed Enclosure - All equipment shall be completely concealed within a metal, composite, or equivalent material enclosure as determined by the Public Works Director.
2. Smallest Size - The enclosure shall be no larger than necessary based on the smallest available size of the proposed equipment as determined by the Public Works Director.
3. Camouflage - Camouflaging elements may be required. Such elements may include, but shall not be limited to, public art displayed on the enclosure, strategic placement in less visible or obtrusive locations, placement within an existing streetscape element, landscape screening, and strategic painting or coating to camouflage such enclosure or equipment.
B. The maximum height of any such enclosure shall be 30".
(Ord. 2018-23-E. Passed 7-17-18.)
904.15.1 DESIGN AND SITING REQUIREMENT UPDATES OR SUPPLEMENTS.
(a) The provisions in 904.15 shall not limit City Administration's discretion to promulgate and make publicly available other information, materials, or requirements in addition to, and separate from, these design guidelines so long as the information, materials, or requirements do not conflict with state or federal law.
(b) The City Administration shall have the authority to update or supplement the Design Guidelines to address relevant changes in law, technology, or administrative processes.
(Ord. 2018-23-E. Passed 7-17-18.)